Page 102 of Men or Paws
I chuckled. “I wouldn’t go that far, but they do tend to be a little less demanding and in my face. Some people ask for photos and autographs. Many of them will take my photo and stick it on social media. Not too much I can do about that, so hopefully you’re okay with that.”
“Why would I care?” Beth asked.
“Because you’re with me and most likely you’ll be in some of those photos.”
Beth stared at me. “Oh . . . I hadn’t thought of that.”
“I didn’t even tell you the part where they may start speculating whether we’re involved romantically,” I said. “They’ll start asking what that mystery girl is doing with me, what her story is, and if she’s carrying my baby.”
Beth rubbed her stomach, showing her sense of humor. “Hmm . . . I wonder if I am? How would I know? Do they have tests for that?”
I laughed. “Well, don’t be surprised if you end up on TMZ or on the cover of some tabloid when you’re checking out at the grocery store.”
Beth stared at me, as if she were looking at a ghost.
I placed my hands on her shoulders. “Don’t worry. It’s something you’ll need to get used to if you want to be my friend.”
She nodded. “Your friend . . .”
I winced. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to downgrade you from fiancé. I forgot you were planning our wedding.” I laughed.
Beth shook her head. “You’re never going to let me forget that.”
“Nope. That one will have a shelf-life of fifty years, at least.” I gestured to her head. “By the way, you have something in your hair from the tree that attacked you.”
Beth jerked up. “Please don’t tell me it’s a spider. Get it off—”
“Relax,” I said. “It’s not a living, breathing thing. Here . . .”
I moved closer until our bodies were almost touching. I ran my fingers through her hair, trying to pull out a few pesky pine needles that were stuck.
Beth swallowed, her eyes watching me.
I tried to pull out the first pine needle, careful not to yank it out of her hair, almost as if I were sliding out a wooden block from a wobbly Jenga tower.
Beth closed her eyes long enough for me to glance down at her lips.
The urge to kiss her returned, more intense than ever.
Screw the addendum.
Kiss her now.
As if she could read my mind, Beth’s eyes shot open, and she stepped back.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
She wagged her finger at me. “Nice try.”
I cocked my head to the side. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m not falling for that again.” She turned and walked toward the booths at the farmers’ market. “Come on, let’s eat.”
“You really do have something in your hair!” I called out.
“I don’t believe you!” she called back as she kept walking.
I shook my head, laughing to myself.
